No Stopping Me!

[Daniel Mark Extrom]

I find that I generally need a "target" to write about.  While sometimes I get lines in my head out of nowhere (and I am always looking/listening for them, which may be kind of a sickness!), it helps me to have a target in mind.  For example, I have been asked by people to write something for their friend or family member, or I may choose someone to write about.  It could be a stranger who will never know that I wrote with them in mind, or it could be someone I know and some inspiration comes along. And I may choose to let them know that it was written for that person or about that person, or I may not. Some people may not be comfortable thinking that someone thought about them enough to write about them, even if it was intended to be nice or complimentary.  And I can't think yet of a "not nice" piece I wrote about a specific person, though I have written other pieces that might question or argue with the thinking processes or habits of some people, but these are not written with any specific person in mind, at least not in my conscious mind.

This is a change of pace from my first piece on this site.  My first one was a tribute to my mother-in-law who died last week.

This one is about birth. It is something that was written for and about a baby that was born in a car, written from the perspective of the new-born baby to the mom and dad.  I saw a news story on TV about a husband and his very pregnant wife who were racing to the hospital so she could deliver their baby, but they did not make it. The baby was born in the car. The news story said that the mom didn't really expect the baby to come out that day, and so she went about  her day, then realized she better get to the hospital. But she wanted to "get ready" by fixing her hair, and getting dressed, because she thought that it was going to be a false alarm or that she'd at least have time to get there. She was wrong!  (There was an "Everybody Loves Raymond" episode about the same thing, though I hadn't seen that episode when this was written.) By the way, the baby, and mom, did just fine!

This is kind of long. Sorry.

No Stopping Me!

Thank you, Mom, for bringing me
on this ride so far.
But there're things that I must do today
that don't involve this car.
Please don't let me bother you:
you've other things to do.
But I shouldn't have to say it: you know that I do too!
I told you that I wanted out, early in the morn'.
"Mom," I said, "I've things to do,
but first I must be born!"
"Wait," you said, "There's laundry -
and I must do my hair."
"Mom," I said, "Please hear me now:
I really do not care!"
I know you know it's dark in here. It's time you realize
that just like you I've things to do:
I need some food; I need a hat; I want to try my eyes.
I need some clothes; I need some socks.
Do you know my size?
I need some toys; I need some space;
I'd kind of like to see my face.
Perhaps you need a bigger clue:
mostly what I really want
is a better view!
I want someone to get me
a cute, brown, fuzzy bear!
And just like you, I need shampoo,
so I can wash my hair!
And, you know, I hope there's time
for a little fun.
But most of all, today, I think,
I want to see the sun!

You heard me say I wanted out.
You said, "Just wait awhile."
The others made you wait, I'm sure,
but that's just not my style!
I want to start my life right now:
this is my only goal.
Here I sit with eyes closed tight:
it's time to rock and roll!
So, please, please, please - I'm begging you -
let's make this motor run!
I'm telling you; I'm telling Dad:
my life has now begun!

Let's hit the gas and fly this road: my life is calling me!
If you won't do what I say, I'll cause some misery!
I know what you are thinking: that I should wait my turn.
But I have heard your voices: you have so much to learn.
The people out in TV land will not be impressed:
Hear this, Mom, you'll be the news -
and you will not be dressed!

You think that I'm impatient.
Well, now I hope you know:
when I want to to take me there,
it's really time to go!
I heard you say, "Go faster, Dad!
Just get us there somehow!"
It's time you learned this lesson here:
I'm coming out right now!
I don't care what we do - don't care about the plan!
But if you're going to make me wait,
bring the mini-van!

So now I'm out and looking 'round,
but I don't see the sun.
For now I'm happy to be born -
the biggest thing is done.
The sky is hard to see from here, in this little car;
if I could not see the sun, I thought I'd see a star.
But now I think I get it! See, I've come so far!
You wanted me to wait for you, so I could be the star!
Perhaps you tried to tell me,
but I just couldn't choose:
the way to really see a star
is to be one on the news!
Babies born in hospitals are just so commonplace.
But now the whole city sees my cute, sweet little face!

It's not what I'd have chosen,
but now there are some sights!
Flashing red and blue and white -
at least I see the lights!
I don't mean to sound ungrateful;
I hope you understand:
I thought I had it all worked out -
this isn't what I'd planned.
Last night I thought I'd thought it through -
planned my whole day.
But who'd have thought I'd start my life
on the expressway?!
Thank you all for being here,
at my coming out.
Now you know when I say go,
there is no room for doubt!
But all is well that ends so well, here on I-Ninety.
Tell the world I'm moving in: there is no stopping me!


Copyright Daniel Mark Extrom 2008-2014. All rights reserved.

[SweetSilverBird]

Oh what a delightful story! This is so well told too! You must make sure the parents get a copy. They will cherish it for life! Welcome to the forum from another rhymer.

[Daniel Mark Extrom]

Hi Sweet Silver Bird!  Thank you.  This was actually written originally for someone with whom I was slightly acquainted.  We were watching the news on TV one night and a story came on about a woman who had her baby in the car, and then they showed mom holding the baby, and we realized we knew her!  I did put this on paper in a frame for her and gave it to her.

Then, about a year or two later, a local TV anchor in Chicago went through the same experience.  I took the same poem, made some minor changes, and then had the poem etched on picture matting, 20x16 inches, with an opening for the baby's photo, and  I wanted to send it to her (though of course I didn't know her), but someone thought I'd be making a fool of myself by doing so, and so it still sits in our basement. Never sent.  Now that baby should be about 4 1/2 years old. Oh well.  I sort of wish I'd sent it. Oh well.

Dan

[Brigid Briton]

Hi Dan,

This is adorable and funny. I think you should have sent the poem to the anchorwoman, in fact, I think you should still send it! She's probably get a double laugh out of it now. In fact, it might be even cuter with the picture of a 4 1/2 year old in it! You wouldn't be making a fool of yourself, you'd be sharing something really wonderful with a stranger. What's wrong with that?

I also just want to say that I greatly appreciate the warm, conversational tone you present in your comments. This place will be a community yet!

Brigid

[Daniel Mark Extrom]

Hi Brigid, 

Thank you for the kind comments.  I may send it to her one of these days.  It already cost me about $80.00 between the matte, the etching and the creating of the opening(s).  We might have done openings for two photos. I don't recall.  And the child's name and birth day are on it, so it's not like it can be used elsewhere.  Maybe I will send it soon.

And I think it's important that comments be encouraging and helpful. They are always just one person's opinion, and I think sometimes people don't want to comment for fear of sounding like a know it all, or for fear of being perceived as being too critical.  Learning is, however, always about critical thinking, which is not "critical" in the pejorative sense, but critical in the sense of comparing something from the way it is to the way it might be made better, in the opinion of the reviewer. That is all it is: it is a suggestion which is an opinion and has no force except as the recipient of the suggestion chooses to give it.  These are the tools of learning.  The key is to always be positive. "Try this . . ."  "How about that . . ." etc.

Anyway, thank you again for managing this site.  I get the impression that both Fire Monkey and Sweet Silver Bird also help you with it . . .? Am I the only one using my real name? I might have to come up with an alias!

Dan

[Brigid Briton]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your great comments about critiquing. You sound like a very wise man.

Fire Monkey (Tim) and Sweet Silver Bird (Deb) have been with me here on the forum with me since it's inception three years ago. They have been good friends and support for me over the years. A month or so ago, we learned that they are planning to get married (to each other) in September. It couldn't happen to a nicer couple.

I'm sure you'll come to know them as I have, as very caring and gentle people, very willing to help whenever they're able.

Here's a link to a poem Hazel, one of our members and a good friend of theirs, wrote to commemorate their union.poetry-here-and-now.proboards.com/thread/1759/tribute-happy-friends

You don't need an alias here! Back in the day, it seemed I was the only one to use my name, but now there are quite a few who do.

[Cory Raymond]

Hi Dan,

What an adorable POV. I enjoyed the ride! I enjoyed your comments, and those of the others almost as much. This site is starting to get really interesting!

[Daniel Mark Extrom]

Thank you very kindly, Cory!  I will look at one of yours very soon. 

Sincerely. Dan

[John Walton]

Great poem...and I agree with previous comments. You should send it to the TV anchor. They may make a news story out of it by tracing the mother and presenting her with the poem.  John  P.S. 'John' is my real name! 

[Daniel Mark Extrom]

Thank you, John!

PS  I'll bet your last name is not 1964!!!! 

Please know that I am just kidding!  I really don't care if people use aliases.  That's up to them.  It's the writing that counts.

I originally intended to just use my first and middle names for my website and my signature on poems, but I did a presentation early on and was introduced by my first and last names, and everyone was asking:  "Well, then who is Daniel Mark?"  I realized it was as much confusing to me as it was to an audience, and so I just decided to go with all three names, first, middle and last.  But I already had my website and corporate name with just Daniel Mark, and I didn't want to change all that. "Mark Twain" worked for Samuel Clemens, but it's too confusing for me to be two people.

[Daniel Mark Extrom]

To John1964:  Oh no! Now I feel terrible!  But your photo looks good!

I'll confess that my photo is about 7 or 8 years old now, which means I look much older in real life than in my photo. 

I'll get around to a new one someday, maybe when I'm 80.

Dan

[Cory Raymond]

Hi John and Dan,

I like both of your pictures. Cory Raymond is as real as it gets for me. I earned that name the hard way. You might have suspected, however, that my picture isn't exactly an accurate depiction of the real me, but it's what I plan to turn into once my metamorphosis is complete.